Consultant for Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges the efforts of four distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates globally, with a strong presence in Afghanistan for over two decades, addressing the unique challenges faced by Afghan women and girls amidst the country’s complex humanitarian crisis. The organization is committed to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering them, and ensuring their active participation in development, human rights, and peace processes. UN Women Afghanistan has five key program priorities: Integrated Programming and Localization, Women’s Movement Building, Policy and Research, Economic Resilience and Private Sector, and Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. The organization operates from its main office in Kabul and has five sub-offices in Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar, focusing on providing targeted support to Afghan women and girls.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting UN Women’s engagement with de facto authorities in Kabul and the field. This position requires the consultant to prepare talking points, attend engagement meetings, and provide interpretation support during these meetings. The consultant will also be responsible for collecting and documenting access constraints related to program implementation, particularly those affecting gender access. This role is vital in ensuring that Afghan women and girls receive the necessary support and that their voices are included in the development of their country. The consultant will work closely with various UN Women units and field offices, contributing to the overall mission of promoting gender equality and empowering women in Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide support to UN Women’s engagement with de facto authorities by preparing talking points and attending engagement meetings.
• Assist UN Women management, program managers, and field offices with interpretation during meetings.
• Collect and document access constraints related to program implementation in the field, focusing on gender-related access issues.
• Engage with program units, field offices, and partners to gather information on access constraints.
• Map details regarding partners’ engagement with line ministries and memorandums of understanding.
• Deliver monthly access constraints mapping reports at the end of each month for three months.
• Compile a comprehensive document summarizing all data on partners’ MoUs by the end of April 202
• Participate in office-based consultancy and field travel as required based on ongoing humanitarian developments.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in human rights, gender, international relations, international development, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, or other social science fields is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian access and engagement is required.
• Proven experience in building partnerships with de facto authorities, governments, donors, and civil society organizations is essential.
• Experience working with the UN is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as human rights, gender studies, international relations, international development, international law, or other social sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian access and engagement. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with de facto authorities, governments, donors, and civil society organizations, both nationally and in the field. Experience in a UN context is considered an asset, as it demonstrates familiarity with the organization's operations and objectives.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, fluency in Dari and Pashto is required, as these languages are essential for effective communication and engagement with local stakeholders and authorities.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based, with potential field travel required depending on ongoing humanitarian developments. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s values and competencies, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The position is part of a larger effort to support Afghan women and girls amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis, and selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure compliance with UN Women’s policies and standards.